Dipolog Airport (Filipino: Paliparan ng Dipolog, Cebuano: Tugpahanan sa Dipolog, Chavacano and Spanish: Aeropuerto de Dipolog) (IATA: DPL, ICAO: RPMG) is the main airport serving the general area of Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, in the Philippines. The airport is one of the busiest in Mindanao, especially considering its classification. The airport is classified as a secondary airport by the Air Transportation Office (ATO), a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports.

In 2005, the airport handled 75,751 passengers. Its passenger traffic has grown at least 52% from year 2000 statistical figures with an average annual growth rate of around 10.4%.[1]

Airlines
The following airlines serve Dipolog Airport:

Cebu Pacific (Manila)
Philippine Airlines (Manila)

Former airlines
Aerolift Philippines
Asian Spirit

The airport has one terminal and a 150-meter by 100-meter apron. The apron is capable of supporting two Airbus A320s and three large general aviation planes simultaneously. There are also plans to expand the apron to accommodate bigger aircraft.

The terminal building, which originally had a capacity of 170 passengers, now has a seating capacity of 300 passengers due to new flights offered by Cebu Pacific. The terminal houses a metal detector and an X-ray machine for fast security check-in of passengers and their baggage.

Other structures
The airport also has a modern control tower, a Category V fire station with 4 firetrucks and a new parking area complex near the Miss Universe Garden.

The new parking area would have a capacity of 100 vehicles when completed by the end of the year. The old parking area, which had a capacity of ninety vehicles, was partially converted into an airport security buffer zone, to address probable terrorist threats. Forty slots of the old parking area was made part of the new parking area. The city government is expanding again the parking area to accommodate the additional passenger traffic towards the vicinity of the Miss Universe Garden.

There is also a mini-garden at the runway side of the terminal that contains a grotto.

Airport Master Plan

Third Airport Development Project
The Dipolog Airport upgrading project was part of The 1997 Third Airport Development Project, a six-airport package which was supposed to be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Philippine government with its counterpart fund[4]. However, the Philippine government failed to provide on the counterpart fund for the $93 million project. The ADB loan was cancelled effective May 31, 2003[5].

Scope of Work
Designs for rehabilitation and upgrading were undertaken by COWI-NACO JV, with three local sub-consultants: TransAsia, Basic Team and COWI Philippines. The scope of works included:

1. Runway rehabilitation, extension and widening, and improvements of taxiways and aprons
2. Grading of safety areas adjacent to the runway
3. Construction of proper fencing between airside and landside areas
4. Installation of x-ray equipment
5. Upgrading of terminal and construction of new cargo building and other support facilities to increase service levels to handle forecast traffic for year 2010
6. Installation of runway, approach lights and navigational aids in order to meet the international ICAO safety and security standards
7. Expansion of utility facilities such as water supply and sewage treatment and
8. Improvements of landside parking facilities.
As of April 2007, only items number one, two, five, six, and seven were not yet implemented due to huge budgetary requirements.

Southern Philippines Airport Development Project
DOTC repackaged the project in 2005 into the Southern Philippines Airport Development Project for funding. By 2006, ADB reconsidered Dipolog Airport as one of only three of the six airport projects to be considered for funding based on the request of airline companies operating on the approved airports[7], commercial viability, and passenger traffic[8].

For brevity, the stats and some pictures are listed on this link. I supposed this could be the latest information we can have. But there are on going extension and widening on the runway as published in the other forum. Probably part of the master plan. I hope somebody can post photos on this construction project.

This is a news story you will first read here on this forum. Lucky you!
March 18,2008
Almost 165 Million pesos was released last month by the National Government to DOTC under the GAA for 2008 for the expansion and widening of Dipolog Airport runway. Construction work include completion of seawall (shore) protection and river bank protection works.
Bidding will be conducted on March 27, 2008 and construction of the project begins on May 2008 with duration of 300 days.

This is part of the Airport Master Plan submitted to ADB for funding. When totally completed, the runway will have a length of 2,700 meters x 45 meters. Currently, the runway stands at 2,110 meters x 30. With this expansion, the runway will extend up to Camp Hamac in Sicayab and can accommodate technically Airbus 340/330 or Boeing 747s. It will have a turn-around pad similar to that of Davao International Airport. This is definitely bigger than Zamboanga International. However, serving 340/330 or 747 is another matter. This will be implemented in May 2008. Note that the total cost of the Airport Master Plan is more than 700 Million, and this is only the runway component. I'm not sure though if the amount covers the entire length.

Another 50 Million is earmarked for Instrument Landing System (ILS) and upgrading of other navigational equipment, including repair of runway lights for 2009. ILS is used for night and bad weather landing.Technical evaluation was completed in 2007 and this will be installed after the completion of the runway extension and expansion project.

Another 200 Million is earmarked for Terminal expansion by 2010 to be completed by 2012.

Funny, this project is supposed to be completed by 2009 but now it seems poised to be done in 2012 unless sooner postponed again. Originally this was supposed to be constructed in 1997. The terminal is similar to Davao International but smaller in size as design was done with the same architect, COWI NACo of Netherlands and some local partners.

Well, the government may have good reasons for doing so (delay), considering the financial crisis at that time and the collapse of PAL, as projects depend on forecast passenger traffic based on ATO data, viable traffic was attained only in 2007 when it was supposed to be the traffic in 1997. Davao International suffered similar faith which opted ADB to revise passenger forecast by adopting a different formula for computing traffic on proposed airport construction.

In simple terms, only those airports that are economically viable, with capacity to grow, served by at least 2 carriers, and evidence of traffic growth for at least 5 years, shall be funded for massive improvement. Of all the Mindanao secondary airports, only Butuan, Cotabato and Dipolog qualified. So we have this project.

This is a news story you will first read here on this forum. Lucky you!
March 18,2008
Almost 165 Million pesos was released last month by the National Government to DOTC under the GAA for 2008 for the expansion and widening of Dipolog Airport runway. Construction work include completion of seawall (shore) protection and river bank protection works.
Bidding will be conducted on March 27, 2008 and construction of the project begins on May 2008 with duration of 300 days.

This is part of the Airport Master Plan submitted to ADB for funding. When totally completed, the runway will have a length of 2,700 meters x 45 meters. Currently, the runway stands at 2,110 meters x 30. With this expansion, the runway will extend up to Camp Hamac in Sicayab and can accommodate technically Airbus 340/330 or Boeing 747s. It will have a turn-around pad similar to that of Davao International Airport. This is definitely bigger than Zamboanga International. However, serving 340/330 or 747 is another matter. This will be implemented in May 2008. Note that the total cost of the Airport Master Plan is more than 700 Million, and this is only the runway component. I'm not sure though if the amount covers the entire length.

Another 50 Million is earmarked for Instrument Landing System (ILS) and upgrading of other navigational equipment, including repair of runway lights for 2009. ILS is used for night and bad weather landing.Technical evaluation was completed in 2007 and this will be installed after the completion of the runway extension and expansion project.

Another 200 Million is earmarked for Terminal expansion by 2010 to be completed by 2012.

Funny, this project is supposed to be completed by 2009 but now it seems poised to be done in 2012 unless sooner postponed again. Originally this was supposed to be constructed in 1997. The terminal is similar to Davao International but smaller in size as design was done with the same architect, COWI NACo of Netherlands and some local partners.

Well, the government may have good reasons for doing so (delay), considering the financial crisis at that time and the collapse of PAL, as projects depend on forecast passenger traffic based on ATO data, viable traffic was attained only in 2007 when it was supposed to be the traffic in 1997. Davao International suffered similar faith which opted ADB to revise passenger forecast by adopting a different formula for computing traffic on proposed airport construction.

In simple terms, only those airports that are economically viable, with capacity to grow, served by at least 2 carriers, and evidence of traffic growth for at least 5 years, shall be funded for massive improvement. Of all the Mindanao secondary airports, only Butuan, Cotabato and Dipolog qualified. So we have this project.

Never mind the international ones.

maging mas mahaba pa pala ang runway ng dipolog airport kaysa new cdo-iligan airport....with the completion of the new runway and the installation of the new nvaigational aids, the runway of this airport will be of international standards na....

Politicians declare the news this way sometime in November 2007. I guess (note the newspaper issue). But the cost was actually 165 million. note also that 50 million was supposed to be for new terminal building but it was actually a cargo facility which is part of the project component. Read on.

P168M for Dipolog Airporthttp://dipolognews.prepys.com/
Cong. Rosendo ‘Dodoy’ Labadlabad had fondly called it ‘hard work’ when Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, Cong. Cely Carreon and himself worked to secure P168M for the improvement of Dipolog Airport. He disclosed that the amount should be spent to extend the runway of the airport and the installation of landing lights.

Another P50M was also appropriated for the construction of a new airport terminal building. On the other hand, he disclosed that the remaining P30M from his congressional funds shall be used in concreting the road from Dipolog to Sergio Osmeņa, particularly the road from Sangkol to Cogon which is a 7-8 kilometer road.

He admitted though that such budget could not finish the road but such could be a good start to finish the project, he projected. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 7)
P168M for Dipolog Airport

Cong. Rosendo ‘Dodoy’ Labadlabad had fondly called it ‘hard work’ when Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, Cong. Cely Carreon and himself worked to secure P168M for the improvement of Dipolog Airport. He disclosed that the amount should be spent to extend the runway of the airport and the installation of landing lights.

Another P50M was also appropriated for the construction of a new airport terminal building. On the other hand, he disclosed that the remaining P30M from his congressional funds shall be used in concreting the road from Dipolog to Sergio Osmeņa, particularly the road from Sangkol to Cogon which is a 7-8 kilometer road.

He admitted though that such budget could not finish the road but such could be a good start to finish the project, he projected. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 7)

maging mas mahaba pa pala ang runway ng dipolog airport kaysa new cdo-iligan airport....with the completion of the new runway and the installation of the new nvaigational aids, the runway of this airport will be of international standards na....

sana kasama na rin ang pag construct ng new terminal...

More or less yes.but its still domestic.

the fact with cdo-rpml is that its brand new and it does not need longer runway than what it requires at the moment.look at bacolod and iloilo. they are almost on the same length that is good enough for airbus 321 at the biggest.in europe length of that span is already classified international as long as it serves international flights. so length is not that big deal unless pal wants to operate 330 on that route which i was told not likely for the next 10 years. cebu,davao,palawan and gensan are served with heavy aircraft because of cargo traffic they generate per ton, not the number of passengers they served.that is why pal is profitable in gensan even if its plane is only half full for most of the year.but definitely they will have longer runways later on when they expand.

the fact with cdo-rpml is that its brand new and it does not need longer runway than what it requires at the moment.look at bacolod and iloilo. they are almost on the same length that is good enough for airbus 321 at the biggest.in europe length of that span is already classified international as long as it serves international flights. so length is not that big deal unless pal wants to operate 330 on that route which i was told not likely for the next 10 years. cebu,davao,palawan and gensan are served with heavy aircraft because of cargo traffic they generate per ton, not the number of passengers they served.that is why pal is profitable in gensan even if its plane is only half full for most of the year.but definitely they will have longer runways later on when they expand.

here in davao big aircrafts are needed becasue the sheer number of passengers cannot be accommodated on small aircraft alone like the a320. yes cargo does play a role too. as you look at the statistics the number of passengers who passed through the DIA for the year 2007 was almost 1.6M and total number of cargo was almost 88,000 tons.

i have a relative who is the check pilot of the a320 of PAL. He said that PAL management is so surprised with the passenger loads of PAL in the Davao-Manila route. He said that almost all flights are booked solid both ways. PAL has five flights to manila daily two flights are operated by the a330 and a340. the other flights are operated by the a319 and a320. the only reason why pal uses smaller planes in the other 3 flights is that they lack big aircraft. if they had more bigger aircraft at their disposal, then all flights to davao would be serviced by the heavies.

__________________All work and no play is totally missing the point.
-Jose Cuervo

^ Davao, GenSan and Puerto Princesa all recieved the A330 at the same time when PAL re-opened last October 1998. PAL was only fielding their A330 to Cebu (in domestic) when their A300 were still in operations...

I've been flying to GenSan several times a year with PAL and their A330 is not just half full but almost full. I guess that's why PAL and CEB are operating on a daily basis to GenSan with one (A330, A343 or B744) from PAL and A320 from Cebu Pacific.

If I remember correctly, it was on a mabuhay magazine that i read that stated that Davao was the first destination of their A330 (perhaps the first flight and then the other places were immediately served thereafter?) I cant remember much but that particular info I can still, somehow, remember

Actually all your observations are correct on some way. A330 started service on October 7, 1998 with Davao as first destination. It flew around 5:25AM followed by Cebu at 5:40AM although it landed first on the latter. All A300 was sold by PAL to creditors while remaining leases returned to a European leasing company. I was bound for Zamboanga on board B737-400 then with flight leaving at 6:10. As I can recall only the mindanao cities of Davao, Gensan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Zamboanga and Dipolog were reopened. Butuan opened after 6 months.
Cebu and Davao were surprisingly the Golden Pot of PAL, meaning on per annum average, it has 155% load factor. Don't be confused on that one. It simply means, there are more passengers than PAL could carry. Thats why Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, and Grand Air have a mayhem on the excess traffic. Other destinations opened were the only profitable market of PAL. Meaning they always operate on the route without incurring any losses year in and year out even on lean season because they charge you with expensive fair. I remember paying P7,000 plus for Zamboanga flight. Today you can have that for roundtrip. But by 2000 aviation traffic was almost standstill with no positive prospect for growth due to the effect of asian financial crisis. Eventually Grand Air was sequestered by creditors, Air Philippines was sold to PAL and Cebu Pacific almost died in 2002 due to rising fuel prices. But few of you knew that. Big J had to infused 200 Million to save the company from financial collapse as it was in the red for 3 consecutive years, and this was the collateral for the Airbus fleet.
Anyway, going back, traditionally, folks in Cebu and Davao always want to ride PAL because its bigger and better. But that changed with the arrival of Cebpacs airbuses.Now it can be foretold that what passengers want are better and brand-new planes with lower fares. In 2005, the airfare war began and Cebu Pacific won. By 2007, PAL noticed that passengers wanted better frequency than just 3 biggie flight, taking its cue from cebu pacific. Note that at the beginning of 1998, there was only 2 biggie (a330/340-b744) flight to Davao and 3 going to Cebu. But lets concentrate on Davao, which eventually grew from 3 to 4 but thats it. It can no longer served another biggie without incurring any loss. So to add frequency they dropped the 4th biggie and substitute it with 2 a320.Thats what you have now in Davao. Same approach was adopted in Cebu which has multiple flights. But it was never adopted in Palawan and Gensan.They could have better frequency.Why? The reasons are economics.Cargoes which cannot simply fit in 2 320's. Cargoes are expensive per kilo than per passenger. You do the math. If you are a frequent flyer like I was before, you noticed that the teller would tell you that it is a fully booked flight but there are plenty of vacant seats.Why? To compensate for cargo load. Gensan are not always served by 330/340. It was sometimes served by A320.Why? No substantial passenger and cargo for the day. I remember my friend who went to koronadal for a business meeting complaining a ride on board a320 when i previously knew it was a 330 service.damn, i was dead wrong. Same thing with Palawan. If you dont believed me call its manager or verify at the airport whether PAL always deploy biggies on that route all year round, and they will tell you not all the time.This usually happen during lean months. If there are more cargo 330 is deployed, if there are less, the 340 and if they really require more than that,the 744. And yes Gensan has a lot of passengers that can easily fit 4 daily A320's flight frequencies on peak months but its cargo can't which usually needs to be carried at the same flight in time for connection to Japan at 3PM. And you know what those cargoes are.

Last edited by arianespace; April 2nd, 2008 at 09:45 AM.
Reason: wrong place. it was koronadal not kidapawan.my apologies for my own confusion.